Murlidhar Devidas Amte (born December 24, 1914), or Baba Amte, as he is fondly known, was born in Wardha in a family of jagirdars. Trained in law, Baba Amte started a lucrative practice at Wardha, but, moved by the poverty he saw around him, he decided to dedicate himself to social justice.
One of India’s most revered social and moral leaders, Baba Amte has devoted his life to the care and rehabilitation of leprosy patients, even allowing his body to be used for experiments to grow leprosy germs. His ashram at Anandwun , recognised and respected around the world, has done much to dispel prejudice against leprosy victims.
Baba Amte also launched the Bharat Jodo (Unite India) movements from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in and Assam and Gujarat in 1988, with the mission of establishing peace and raising environmental consciousness. He has used his various honours and award, amounting to INR 15 million, to the running of his Anandavan Ashram.
In 1990, Baba Amte left Anandavan to live along the Narmada to fight against social injustice. On December 25, 1999, he was chosen for the coveted Gandhi Peace Prize for his exemplary work for treatment and rehabilitation of leprosy patients and his concept of the ‘Shramik Vidyapeeth’ where patients and volunteers work together.
